Decision on destroying biotech sugar beets put on hold

San Francisco, Dec. 22 – A Ninth Circuit Court decision to destroy Roundup-Ready Sugar beet seedlings has been put “on hold” by the U.S. Court of Appeals until Feb. 28 or until the court issues a final order.

The 256 acres of stecklings have been genetically modified to withstand Monsanto’s Roundup, which USDA deregulated in 2005. But food and environmental groups sued USDA to block planting, citing concerns over potential contamination of conventional seeds.

Ninth Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey White ruled that the government failed to review the environmental impact of the plants. More than 90% of the U.S. sugar beet crop comes from genetically engineered seeds and USDA is appealing

Growers and processors are closely watching the case, The Center for Food Safety v. Vilsack. to see if Roundup Ready seeds can be used for the 2012 growing season.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Rod Hebrink, President and CEO of Compeer Financial. The lack of certainty from a new farm bill and weak commodity prices due to lost export markets and robust supplies have left farmers and lenders with a grim outlook for 2019. In this interview, Hebrink discusses the challenge of the unknown and the need for legislators and the White House to take action on farm policy, trade and regulations to help rural America prepare for the year ahead.

The world of agriculture extends beyond what’s growing in your field or living in your barn, and here at Agri-Pulse, we understand that. We make it our duty to inform you of the most up-to-date agricultural and rural policy decisions being made in Washington D.C. and examine how they will affect you – the farmer, the lobbyist, the government employee, the educator, the consultant and the concerned citizen.